Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra

Microarray patches (MAPs), alternatively known as microneedle patches, is a paradigm shift in the administration of pharmaceutical agents and vaccines. By utilising micron-scale projections to breach the stratum corneum, MAPs bridge the gap between the convenience of transdermal patches and the efficacy of hypodermic injections. This critical narrative review synthesises advances in MAP technology for transdermal drug delivery, focusing on technological innovations, chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) challenges, clinical translation, regulatory considerations, and global health implementation. Special emphasis is placed on CMC challenges, including sterilisation and stability profiling, as well as the landscape of Clinical Trials, highlighting recent frameworks for pivotal Phase III studies in measles and rubella. We conclude by evaluating the programmatic suitability of MAPs for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), addressing critical barriers such as cold-chain logistics and trypanophobia. A coordinated evolution from product-by-product model to platform-industrialisation model involving vaccine, polymer and device producing companies, regulators, global-health agencies including World health organization (WHO), and technology enablers is necessary. The Measles-Rubella programme provides an important template. MAPs’ value is not about replacing a syringe but enabling equitable distribution of vaccination; a strategy to make vaccination less dependent on infrastructure. As scientific innovations, upscaling, unified regulatory frameworks and equitable access advance, MAPs will achieve global relevance.

1. Marburg virus (MARV), a highly pathogenic member of the Filoviridae family, was first identified in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Germany and the former Yugoslavia, linked to laboratory ...

Background and Aim: The world witnessed COVID‐19 in 2025 yet again, a resurgence driven by LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 subvariants of JN.1. With Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand as the epicenter this time, these variants demonstrated rapid geographic spread and temporal dominance across regions including India, the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and China. Genomic surveillance highlighted a sharp peak due to JN.1, followed by rising trends due to LF.7 and NB.1.8.1. Thus, a perspective was assumed aiming to get insights into the shifting epidemiological and transmission dynamics of COVID‐19, and how recent advanced technologies like AI‐ML could play a key role in deciphering the mutation trends of the novel virus, global genomic surveillance and vaccine research and development. Methods: Literature on recent global COVID cases was sourced online using reliable dedicated search engines. The limited available data from sources was used to get insights. Data were further analyzed, primarily stressing on the molecular‐level interplay within the virus and the host, possible technological interventions to know the infectivity and predict the transmission patterns, and the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning integration as solutions for vaccine designing to strategize community health. Results: India recorded over 3900 active cases in the year 2025 till early June. Kerala and Maharashtra contributed the majority of the fresh cases. Most reported cases were clinically mild, but isolated severe outcomes were witnessed, particularly among the high‐risk subjects. Despite successful mass vaccination drives, recent transmission suggested a dynamic interplay of the waning immunity, adaptability of the subvariants, and altered public behavioral patterns. Conclusions: Integrated AI‐ML tools greatly enhanced the real‐time response and resource planning through genome surveillance, predictive modeling, and outbreak predictions. In silico cutting‐edge technologies are useful tools facilitating rapid assessment of the spread and strengthening decision‐making in public healthcare. Designing AI‐assisted strategies and continued monitoring were vital to mitigate threats of infectious diseases in the future.

And malaria burden. Termed as 'neglected', many of these diseases have been wiped out from most of the developed societies, while still persisting in the poor and most marginalised ones (Álvarez-Hernández et al. 2020). Despite the progress, including eliminating the guinea worm disease in most regions and reducing trachoma and yaws significantly, many NTDs still persist in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America (Srivastava et al. 2023;Ca et al. 2024;Mohapatra et al. 2024) Structural housing measures in animal farming could be pivotal, as they would facilitate or prevent vector's entry, impacting both disease transmission and animal productivity. This special issue reviews the global NTD burden that affects over a billion humans, primarily in the impoverished regions, and also emphasises the urgent need to innovate affordable and rapid diagnostic tools and techniques. While technological advances such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based diagnostics, biosensors and artificial intelligence hold great promises, their use remains limited. This Editorial also discusses therapeutic strategies, including mass drug administration, and outlines the challenges posed by drug resistance and supply chain management issues. The 2021-2030 roadmap of WHO sets forth ambitious elimination targets, emphasising the importance of One Health frameworks, public-private partnerships, and sustainable financing (WHO, 2025). It also calls for multidisciplinary solutions encompassing improved diagnostics, novel therapeutics, vector control and international collaborations.Hanthorn et al. stress the necessity to integrate approaches that combine microbial and vector-focused biosecurity, particularly within swine housing. Current pig farming biosecurity protocols largely focus on microbial pathogens, often neglecting the significant role of mosquitoes and other insect vectors. Their study demonstrates that the design and structural components of swine farms, like walls, ventilation systems and openings serve either as barriers or as entry points for mosquitoes, with direct implications for disease transmission, animal wellbeing and the overall productivity. Mosquito infestations not only facilitate the spread of vector-borne diseases affecting both pigs and humans, but also lead to mechanical damage, irritation, secondary infections, stress and reduced productivity.Effective mosquito control could additionally minimise the burden of other insect pests, contributing to improved animal wellbeing and reduced production losses. Structural design aimed at preventing mosquito entry is integral to maintaining robust farm biosecurity and overall animal health. pathogens have adopted the mechanisms to evade detection by the immune system to invade the host. 'Trojan Horse Theory' in immunology describes the ability of some microbes, using the immune system cells as vectors, to escape the immune action. Trojan Horse is the process used by pathogens to exploit the phagocytic cells-neutrophils and macrophages-which are among the first to respond at the infection site. These cells possess microbicidal mechanisms designed to eliminate the invading microbe and help control infection, relying on the release of cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IFNs. However, pathogens evolve to evade or suppress these defense responses. By doing so, they survive within the host and disseminate to target tissues where they replicate while remaining shielded from the actions of the immune system. In terms of therapy, targeting IFN pathways is promising.Animal studies confirmed the necessity of intact IFN signalling to limit neuroinvasion, and preliminary clinical data suggest interferon therapy could alleviate flavivirus diseases.However, recent insights are derived from the in vitro studies that highlight the need for more robust in vivo evidence. The review underscored the evolutionary arms race between flaviviruses and host immunity, as well as the therapeutic potential to harness IFN pathways. Lee et al. provided a comprehensive review of neurocysticercosis (NCC) by Taeniasolium larvae, the most prevalent parasitic infection of the CNS and is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide. NCC is now recognised as a complex neurological condition requiring multidisciplinary care. Clinical spectra of NCC have broadened significantly and include psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment and atypical radiological findings in addition to traditional presentations like seizures and focal neurological deficits. This diversity reflects the differences in parasite burden, lesion location, host immune response and disease stage.Advances in diagnostics improved sensitivity and specificity in detecting NCC, with neuroimaging modalities including the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) remaining central, complemented by serological, antigen-detection and molecular assays. These tools enable better differentiation between active and calcified lesions and help develop informed treatment strategies. Integrating imaging with immunological and molecular diagnostics is crucial to define a case accurately. Therapeutic approaches are shifting from standard antiparasitic regimens (albendazole and praziquantel) towards more individualised strategies, including adjunctive corticosteroids, antiepileptic drugs, immunomodulators, combination therapies and targeted interventions. Emerging evidence supports tailored treatment for lesion type, number and stage, balancing parasite clearance with inflammation control to minimise neurological complications. The authors opined that continued research to refine management, address drug resistance and improve access to care in endemic regions was needed.The contributions highlighted in this Editorial collectively emphasise the urgent need for integrated, multidisciplinary strategies to address complex infectious diseases...

Rabies, a viral disease, spreads largely through bites or scratches from infected animals. It is a serious global public health threat. Although preventable, it can be fatal if timely medical support is not extended before symptoms appear. We highlight rabies elimination aligned with the UN’s “Zero by 30” goal through evidence-based One Health interventions. This will help public health practitioners and policymakers devise effective health and well-being interventions to contain the ailment, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).